Should Patent Law Over Rule Surgical Safety?
A federal court barred Medtronic Inc from selling its new artificial heart valve to all but a few patients in the United States. The court admitted that the device is safer and has a lower risk of death than a competing device. The ruling gives Edwards Lifesciences Corp. a near monopoly on the sale of a new type of aortic heart valve that is implanted by a minimally invasive procedure. The injunction was made at the request of Lifesciences Corp. A jury found in 2010 that Medtronic CoreValue infringed a patent held by Edwards. The Medtronic devices have better outcomes and lower risk of death, but “At the same time the Court cannot downplay the strong public interest favoring enforcement of patent rights.” Later, Medtronic and Lifesciences settled the patent dispute to allow Medtronic to sell Corevalve all around the world. Medtronic will pay Lifesciences $750 million up front and $40 to $60 million annually through 2022. Guess who ultimately pays the cardiac surgery bill?
Having Belly Pains? Come Sit Down in a Warm Tub.
Hydrotherapy is sitting in a water tub during maternal labor to promote relaxation, improve blood flow and reduce swelling. Tubs, with or without massaging jets, are available at many birthing centers and some hospitals. The Cochrane Collaboration published a review of 11 trials encompassing 3,146 women, concluding that hydrotherapy during the first stage of labor reduced the need for epidural anesthesia. However, the safety of staying in a tub during the birthing stage has not been established. A joint opinion of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Academy of Pediatrics, said, “Due to reports of newborn drownings, near drownings and infection described in medical literature, the procedure should remain experimental.”
Yes, it is Toxic and Possibly Fatal. Avoid a Botulinus Appetizer.
J. Michael Pearson, CEO of Valeant Pharmaceuticals is leading an attempted hostile takeover of Allergan Inc. Pearson is not into R&D spending, but is growing the company through mergers and acquisitions. Last year Valeant purchased Bausch and Lomb for $8.7 billion, and is now targeting Allergan. The big valuation driver is Botox (botulism toxin). Allergan originally developed the poison for eye muscle imbalance and spastic eyelids. Botox quickly became popular for facial muscle relaxation for Hollywood people (Botox parties). Now 54% of sales are for chronic migraine and overactive bladder. Research is proceeding for premature ejaculation, juvenile cerebral palsy, urinary incontinence and depression. Sales grew by 17% in 2013. Valeant offered $46 billion last week and was formally refused. Pearson wants no part of research when he can exploit someone else's work. What a guy!
Why Huff and Puff? We can Push a Coil Up Your Nose.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the number three cause of death in the United States, trailing only heart disease and cancer. The main cause of COPD is smoking, but air pollution, secondhand smoke and workplace dust and chemicals may be involved. More than 24 medical centers are testing a technique that places metal coils into the lung to compress diseased tissue. Surgery is not necessary as the coils can be inserted through the nose or mouth and manipulated into place. The coils allow the healthier parts of the lung to breathe more freely. In Europe, where the coils have been in use since 2008, studies indicate that the procedure is safe and results in significant improvement in lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life. The trials do not address cost, but the hope is that hospitalizations, readmissions, and complications will be reduced.
If it Ain't Broke, Break it.
Planners and politicians can make decisions that result in the opposite of intentions. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed with the assumption that patients would have greater access to a physician and thus reduce emergency room visits. Still, few family physicians are willing or able to take on additional patients. ACA provides access to care, so ERs are seeing more patients than expected. Almost half of ER doctors say they are seeing more patients since key provisions of the ACA took effect January 1. The basic problem that congress must address is the worsening doctor shortage.
When a Man has just Too Much Money.
Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Inc. the fifth richest man in the world (Forbes), loves basketball. He reportedly is interested in buying the Los Angeles Clippers from the disgraced and ostricized owner Donald Sterling, and it appears he can afford it. He has basketball courts setup on two of his yachts solely for his amusement. He enjoys shooting hoops and sometimes rim shots or backboard bounces ricochet balls into the water. No problem. Ellison has a ballboy in a powerboat following behind to retrieve loose balls.
At Last: Hawaiian Cuisine Hits the Big Apple.
Manhattan's New York Sushi Ko is the latest sophisticated eatery to feature dishes made with Spam. Upscale foodies and hipsters are flocking in for Spam musubi (fried Spam with rice and seaweed), seared ahi and other fried Spam dishes with a touch of pineapple. Sushi Ko's chef cheerfully acknowledges that his Spam dishes are fresh just off the shelf at the nearby bodega.
Addenda
Fewer people golf on Tuesday than any other day of the week.
The cost of a parking ticket in San Francisco is $74, $9 more than anywhere else in the world.
Citing pollution, two-thirds of China's wealthy citizens have left or plan to leave the country.
Don't contribute to the centers for research into the heeby jeebies.
Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow.
Avoid any restaurant that has kaopectate on draft.
ALOHA AND KEEP THE FAITH rts
(Editorial comment is strictly that of the writer.)